Verizon Wireless completes $130 billion Vodafone deal

Pic Courtesy: -

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: US operator Verizon Wireless has completed USD 130 billion deal by buying 45 percent stake in its wireless division from Vodafone Group PLC.

Vodafone shareholders will be paid the equivalent of USD 0.49 for each existing ordinary share in addition to a distribution of Verizon shares.

Vodafone investor would receive proceeds of 72 pence in Verizon shares and 30 pence in cash for each share owned.

Shareholders of both the companies had approved the transaction last month.

Verizon, which also competes with cable operators for video and internet customers, had recently agreed to buy Internet TV technology from chip maker Intel but did not disclose the deal terms.

It plans to use Intel’s technology to improve search and discovery features for Verizon’s wireline FiOS video service and to help it build a platform to deliver video to mobile devices, Shammo told analysts on the company’s conference call.

With Agency Inputs

First Published: Saturday, February 22, 2014, 04:58

Zee News : Business

Verizon Wireless completes $130 billion Vodafone deal

Indian embassy in Rome gets live bullet, hate mails amid diplomatic tensions

Zee Media Bureau/Tarun Khanna

New Delhi: In retaliation over the trial of two Italian marines in India, a live bullet and hate mails were dropped in the mailbox of Indian embassy in Rome on Friday, a foreign ministry source said.

Calling the incident a matter of grave concern, Indian mission has asked Italy to beef up security around the embassy. “We have escalated the matter to the Italy authorities and hope that necessary steps would be taken on this issue soon,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said.

A couple of days back, the Italian government had summoned the Indian ambassador to discuss concerns over the delay in court proceedings against the two marines in New Delhi which has heightened tensions between the two nations.

Akbaruddin also said that talks are going on to resolve the matter between the two countries.

The Supreme Court, earlier in the week, had asked the Centre to file an affidavit on its final decision on contentious anti-piracy charges against two Italian marines, arrested for allegedly killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast two years ago.

Italy has strongly protested against India over slapping the provisions of the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf (SUA) Act against the marines, asserting that these provisions are slapped against pirates and its marines are not pirates.

First Published: Saturday, February 22, 2014, 07:00

Zee News : India National

Indian embassy in Rome gets live bullet, hate mails amid diplomatic tensions

Verizon Wireless completes $130 billion Vodafone deal

Pic Courtesy: -

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: US operator Verizon Wireless has completed USD 130 billion deal by buying 45 percent stake in its wireless division from Vodafone Group PLC.

Vodafone shareholders will be paid the equivalent of USD 0.49 for each existing ordinary share in addition to a distribution of Verizon shares.

Vodafone investor would receive proceeds of 72 pence in Verizon shares and 30 pence in cash for each share owned.

Shareholders of both the companies had approved the transaction last month.

Verizon, which also competes with cable operators for video and internet customers, had recently agreed to buy Internet TV technology from chip maker Intel but did not disclose the deal terms.

It plans to use Intel’s technology to improve search and discovery features for Verizon’s wireline FiOS video service and to help it build a platform to deliver video to mobile devices, Shammo told analysts on the company’s conference call.

With Agency Inputs

First Published: Saturday, February 22, 2014, 04:58

Zee News : Business

Verizon Wireless completes $130 billion Vodafone deal

Jackky, Neha to feature in '...Jee Le Zara'

Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Actors Jackky Bhagnani and Neha Sharma will feature on popular TV show “Kehta Hai Dil Jee Le Zara” to promote their upcoming film “Youngistaan”.

This is the show’s first movie integration.

A love story of a guy, who falls in love with an older woman, Sony’s show “…Jee Le Zara” features Sangeeta Ghosh and Ruslaan Mumtaz in the lead roles.

In the show, after crossing several hurdles, the couple gets married enjoying their married life.

Bollywood Entertainment News | India

Jackky, Neha to feature in '...Jee Le Zara'

12 killed in Somali presidential palace attack

Mogadishu: At least 12 people, including permanent secretary of the Somalian prime minister and an ex-intelligence commander, were killed Friday in an attack by al Shabaab militant group on Somalia’s presidential palace here, a minister said.

“Nine attackers including two suicide bombers were killed when they tried to force their way into the presidential palace,” Xinhua quoted Minister for National Security Abdelkarim Hussein Guled as saying.

Three were killed on the government side, including two officials and a soldier, he added.

A car bomb went off outside the gate of the presidential palace before a group of al Shabaab fighters tried to storm the building.

The attack was aimed to cause maximum damage but was foiled by local troops and African Union peacekeepers, the minister said.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud, who was at the presidential palace at the time of the attack was unharmed and condemned the attack by terming it as “an act of terrorism”.

“An act of terrorism, however unspeakable, does not hide the truth that this is a marginal group on the brink of extinction,” the president said. “The military campaign we are fighting with brave Somali and AMISOM (African Union Mission in Somalia) soldiers will eliminate our enemies.”

The attack on the presidential palace drew global condemnation.

UN Somalia envoy Nicholas Kay condemned the assault on the Somali presidency as “another desperate and criminal act” which “does nothing but harm to the people of Somalia”.

“The UN and the international community remain steadfast in their determination to see a new Somalia rise, and continue to support Somalia in its quest to stabilise and rebuild institutions,” Kay added.

Head of the African Union Somalia mission (AMISOM) Mahamat Saleh Annadif condemned the attack on the presidential Palace as “cowardly”.

“I commend the actions of the brave security forces who fought off the attackers, hell-bent on shedding the blood of innocent Somalis. The attack was against the Somali people, their institutions and their religion,” Annadif said.

IANS

First Published: Saturday, February 22, 2014, 04:00

Zee News : India National

12 killed in Somali presidential palace attack

'Highway' is Alia's 'Arth': Mahesh Bhatt

Mumbai, Feb 20 (IANS) Not one to be blinded by parental affection, he is yet to give an acting break to his son Rahul, but filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt is clean-bowled by his youngest daughter Alia Bhatt’s performance in Imtiaz Ali’s “Highway”.

He said: “I saw Alia in ‘Highway’. Alia overwhelms you with her heartbreaking sincerity. Her journey has begun. This is Alia’s ‘Arth’. Highway is a film that will sparkle in Alia’s filmography.”

Alia’s mother and actress-filmmaker Soni Razdan is set to direct the youngster in a film based on the notorious Nanavati murder case that shook Mumbai’s beau monde way back in 1959. Pooja Bhatt will produce it.

The original plan was to cast Alia with Randeep Hooda, but they were already doing “Highway” together, therefore, a hunt is on for another leading man to be paired with the actress.

Interestingly, while conversing with Karan Johar on the latter’s talk show Bhatt had described Imtiaz’s “Rockstar” as the most overrated film.

But he seems to have liked the director’s “Highway” a lot more.

He said: “It is an outstanding film. Imtiaz Ali staggers you with his simplicity. It is bare, harsh and truthful.”

Bollywood Entertainment News | India

'Highway' is Alia's 'Arth': Mahesh Bhatt

UN chief condemns attack on Somali presidential palace

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon Friday condemned “in the strongest terms” an attack against Somalia’s presidential palace in the capital city of Mogadishu.

Twelve people were killed in the attack by militant group Al-Shabaab on the presidential palace known as Villa Somalia, which is also the seat of the Somali government in Mogadishu, Xinhua reported.

In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, Ban expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured in the attack.

He also paid tribute to the Somali National Forces and the African Union Mission in Somalia for their “efficient and professional response” in repelling the attackers.

“The secretary-general is concerned that the recent attacks perpetrated by Al-Shabaab insurgents in Somalia are clearly aimed at destabilizing the country at a time when many efforts are being mobilized to restore peace and development,” said the statement.

The UN chief called on the Somali people and government to remain resolute in the fight against extremism. “He reiterates the United Nations’ unwavering support for their determined efforts to build a peaceful and stable Somalia,” it added.

According to earlier reports, a car bomb went off outside the gate of the presidential palace before a group of Al Shabaab fighters tried to storm the building.

The attack was aimed to cause maximum damage but was foiled by local troops and African Union peacekeepers, Somali Minister for National Security Abdelkarim Hussein Guled said.

IANS

First Published: Saturday, February 22, 2014, 04:04

Zee News : India National

UN chief condemns attack on Somali presidential palace